Giving day prep underway

The event is a 24-hour push for online giving coordinated by the Community Foundation of Acadiana.

The aim is to raise as much money as possible for local nonprofit organizations, churches and schools.

Giving Day isn't until May, but today CFA held one of two informational meetings for groups that want to participate in the fundraising. Any nonprofit organization, church or school who wants to participate in South Louisiana Giving Day is required to attend one of the two informational meetings. There is no cost to participate.

As a result of the overwhelming response, an additional informational meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 6 at 9:00 a.m. at Community Foundation of Acadiana, which is located in River Ranch.

According to CFA materials, an 8% fee is charged on every electronic donation. Each organization has the opportunity to receive 100% of a donation when a donor chooses to "cover the fees". If the donor does not opt into this option, the 8% fee will be withheld from his/her contribution. On the other hand, if the donor opts to "cover the fees," the organization will receive 100% of the donor's desired contribution.

Of that 8 percent, 3 percent is for a third-party vendor who processes credit and debit cards. Another 3 percent is charged by CiviCore, which is CFA's technology partner for the event. Lastly, CFA gets 2 percent to cover the cost of hosting the event.

If a donor chooses to bring a donation directly to CFA's office, no fees are charged.

For more details on the event, or how to join as a non-profit, click here.

As the weekend inches closer and closer the eyes remain down toward the tropics as we wait to see what this disturbed region in the Gulf of Mexico will end up doing the next few days. Chances for further development have increased to an 80% over the next five days.

As the weekend inches closer and closer the eyes remain down toward the tropics as we wait to see what this disturbed region in the Gulf of Mexico will end up doing the next few days. Chances for further development have increased to an 80% over the next five days.

A woman was found bound in Lake Charles today, the victim of a kidnapping. Police say they already have a suspect in custody. The woman was taken to a hospital for evaluation, a spokesman for Lake Charles Police said. It still is very early in the investigation, and detectives are still interviewing witnesses, he said. The woman was found on La. 14 near the intersection with Sugar Road, police say. This is a breaking news story and we will have updates as they b...

A woman was found bound in Lake Charles today, the victim of a kidnapping. Police say they already have a suspect in custody. The woman was taken to a hospital for evaluation, a spokesman for Lake Charles Police said. It still is very early in the investigation, and detectives are still interviewing witnesses, he said. The woman was found on La. 14 near the intersection with Sugar Road, police say. This is a breaking news story and we will have updates as they b...